Locate A Book, Movie, TV Show, Or Streaming Series ✓ Solved

Locate a book, movie, television, or streaming series that p

Locate a book, movie, television, or streaming series that portrays a character with a personality or childhood disorder. In an essay of 1,200–1,500 words, address the following: 1) Manifestations of pathological behavior for the character. 2) Possible diagnosis for the character with justification (use current DSM diagnostic and ICD codes). 3) Psychological model (e.g., biological, cognitive) that best explains the cause of the symptoms/behaviors, and based on this model, discuss a possible treatment plan including ways the character can modify their behaviors to cope. Use scholarly sources (including 2–4 from academic library databases), and prepare the assignment according to APA style.

Paper For Above Instructions

Introduction

This analysis examines the character Susanna Kaysen as portrayed in the film and memoir Girl, Interrupted (Kaysen, 1993; Forman, 1999). The character is frequently interpreted as exhibiting symptoms consistent with borderline personality disorder (BPD). This paper describes observable pathological behaviors, offers a justified diagnostic formulation with DSM and ICD codes, explains an integrative biosocial/psychological model that best accounts for the symptoms, and outlines a treatment plan grounded in that model. Scholarly literature on BPD, evidence-based treatments, and diagnostic criteria support the analysis (American Psychiatric Association, 2013; World Health Organization, 1992).

Manifestations of Pathological Behavior

Susanna’s behavior in the narrative includes intense and unstable interpersonal relationships, impulsive acts, identity disturbances, emotional lability, and recurrent suicidal or self-harming behavior. On screen and in the memoir she experiences rapid shifts between despair and defiant mood, engages in impulsive actions (e.g., substance use, provocative behaviors), and demonstrates chronic feelings of emptiness and confusion about her identity (Forman, 1999; Kaysen, 1993). She also exhibits dissociative episodes and difficulty regulating anger, which leads to conflicts with staff and peers. These features align with hallmark BPD manifestations described in clinical literature (Gunderson, 2011; Zanarini et al., 2006).

Possible Diagnosis with Justification and Codes

Based on observable symptoms and their functional impact, the most justifiable diagnosis is Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). DSM-5 criteria for BPD require pervasive patterns across contexts involving instability of self-image, interpersonal relationships, affect, and marked impulsivity (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Susanna meets multiple DSM-5 diagnostic criteria: (1) frantic efforts to avoid abandonment (interpersonal instability), (2) unstable and intense interpersonal relationships, (3) identity disturbance, (4) impulsivity in areas that are self-damaging, (5) recurrent suicidal behavior or self-mutilation, (6) affective instability due to marked reactivity of mood, (7) chronic feelings of emptiness, and (8) inappropriate, intense anger (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). The DSM-5 code for Borderline Personality Disorder is 301.83. In ICD-10 classification, Borderline Personality Disorder corresponds to F60.3 (World Health Organization, 1992). These codes align with contemporary diagnostic systems and are appropriate given the breadth and severity of Susanna’s symptoms (Skodol et al., 2002).

Psychological Model Explaining Symptoms

The biosocial model, which integrates biological vulnerability and environmental invalidation, best explains Susanna’s symptom presentation (Linehan, 1993). This model posits that innate emotional sensitivity or dysregulation interacts with early invalidating environments (e.g., family or social invalidation, trauma) to produce pervasive emotion regulation difficulties and maladaptive interpersonal patterns (Crowell, Beauchaine, & Linehan, 2009). Susanna’s narrative suggests early relational stress, loss of trust in external emotional attunement, and a trajectory of escalating emotional dysregulation—factors consistent with biosocial etiological accounts (Gunderson, 2011). Neurobiological research supports vulnerabilities in affective systems and impulse control in BPD patients, providing biological plausibility for the model (Goodman et al., 2017).

Treatment Plan Based on the Biosocial Model

Given the biosocial formulation, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is the primary evidence-based treatment recommended. DBT directly targets emotion dysregulation, impulsivity, self-harm, and interpersonal skills through a structured skill-training approach (Linehan, 1993; Kliem, Kröger, & Kosfelder, 2010). Core components include individual therapy, skills training groups (mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness), phone coaching, and therapist consultation teams. For Susanna, an initial treatment plan would include weekly individual DBT sessions focused on reducing suicidal ideation and self-harm, enrollment in a DBT skills group to teach emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness, and crisis planning for high-risk periods (Linehan, 1993; Leichsenring et al., 2011).

Adjunctive approaches include medication management for comorbid symptoms (e.g., SSRIs for mood instability or anxiety; mood stabilizers for impulsivity), although no medications are FDA-approved specifically for BPD core features (Gunderson et al., 2014). Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT) and Schema-Focused Therapy are reasonable alternatives or complements when DBT is unavailable (Bateman & Fonagy, 2009; Young, Klosko, & Weishaar, 2003). Family or group psychoeducation could reduce environmental invalidation and improve social supports (Leichsenring et al., 2011).

Behavioral Modifications and Coping Strategies

Concrete behavior-change strategies for Susanna based on DBT skills include: (1) practicing mindfulness to increase awareness and interrupt automatic emotional reactivity; (2) using distress tolerance techniques (e.g., grounding, self-soothing) during crisis to avoid impulsive self-harm; (3) learning emotion regulation strategies such as opposite action and identifying vulnerabilities; and (4) improving interpersonal effectiveness through assertiveness training and validation skills to reduce conflict and perceived abandonment (Linehan, 1993). A stepped-care approach should be used, with more intensive supports during acute crises (e.g., partial hospitalization) and community-based DBT when stable (Linehan, 1993).

Prognosis and Ethical Considerations

With evidence-based intervention such as DBT, many individuals with BPD achieve significant reductions in self-harm, emotional instability, and hospitalization rates, and show improved functioning over time (Kliem et al., 2010; Linehan et al., 2006). Ethical care requires acknowledging the character’s autonomy and avoiding stigmatizing labels, providing trauma-informed, validating therapeutic interactions, and ensuring safety planning (Crowell et al., 2009).

Conclusion

Susanna Kaysen’s portrayal in Girl, Interrupted demonstrates a clinical picture most consistent with Borderline Personality Disorder (DSM-5: 301.83; ICD-10: F60.3). The biosocial model effectively explains the interaction of biological vulnerability and environmental invalidation in producing her symptom pattern. DBT offers a well-supported, specific treatment plan focused on skill-building to reduce self-harm and improve emotion regulation and interpersonal functioning. Combining psychotherapy, targeted pharmacotherapy when necessary, and social support interventions provides a comprehensive, evidence-based path to improved outcomes (Linehan, 1993; Bateman & Fonagy, 2009).

References

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing.
  • Bateman, A., & Fonagy, P. (2009). Randomized controlled trial of outpatient mentalization-based treatment versus structured clinical management for borderline personality disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry, 166(12), 1355–1364.
  • Crowell, S. E., Beauchaine, T. P., & Linehan, M. M. (2009). A biosocial developmental model of borderline personality: Elaborating and extending Linehan’s theory. Psychological Bulletin, 135(3), 495–510.
  • Forman, J. (Producer), & Daldry, S. (Director). (1999). Girl, Interrupted [Film]. Columbia Pictures.
  • Gunderson, J. G. (2011). Handbook of good psychiatric management for borderline personality disorder. American Psychiatric Publishing.
  • Kaysen, S. (1993). Girl, Interrupted. Turtle Bay Books.
  • Kliem, S., Kröger, C., & Kosfelder, J. (2010). Dialectical behavior therapy for borderline personality disorder: A meta-analysis using mixed-effects modeling. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 78(6), 936–951.
  • Leichsenring, F., Leibing, E., Kruse, J., New, A. S., & Leweke, F. (2011). Borderline personality disorder. The Lancet, 377(9759), 74–84.
  • Linehan, M. M. (1993). Cognitive-behavioral treatment of borderline personality disorder. Guilford Press.
  • World Health Organization. (1992). The ICD-10 classification of mental and behavioural disorders: Clinical descriptions and diagnostic guidelines. World Health Organization.

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